Memory device with strap cells

ABSTRACT

A device includes a memory array. The memory array includes a first sub-bank, a second sub-bank, a strap cell and a continuous data line. The strap cell is arranged between the first sub-bank and the second sub-bank. The continuous data line includes a first portion coupled to the first sub-bank and a second portion disposed across the second sub-bank. The first portion of the continuous data line and the second portion of the continuous data line are disposed at separate layers above the strap cell.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application is a continuation Application of the U.S.application Ser. No. 15/831,332, filed Dec. 4, 2017, now U.S. Pat. No.10,204,660, issued Feb. 12, 2019, which is a continuation Application ofthe U.S. application Ser. No. 15/438,567, filed Feb. 21, 2017, now U.S.Pat. No. 9,842,627, issued Dec. 12, 2017, which is a continuationApplication of the U.S. application Ser. No. 15/153,687, filed May 12,2016, now U.S. Pat. No. 9,601,162, issued Mar. 21, 2017, which claimspriority to U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 62/216,894, filed Sep.10, 2015, all of which are herein incorporated by reference.

BACKGROUND

In some approaches, a memory array utilizes logic circuits and edgecells to connect the separate memory banks to I/O circuits. Each of thememory banks is sandwiched between two edge cells. Each of the logiccircuits is sandwiched between two adjacent memory banks. With sucharrangement, a circuit area of such memory array is too large.Accordingly, the length of the bit lines in the memory array isincreased, and the wire loading in the memory array is thus increased.As a result, the performance of the memory array is reduced.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Aspects of the present disclosure are best understood from the followingdetailed description when read with the accompanying figures. It isnoted that, in accordance with the standard practice in the industry,various features are not drawn to scale. In fact, the dimensions of thevarious features may be arbitrarily increased or reduced for clarity ofdiscussion.

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a device, in accordance with someembodiments of the present disclosure;

FIG. 2 is a flow chart of a method illustrating operations of the devicein FIG. 1, in accordance with the some embodiments of the presentdisclosure;

FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of waveforms of signals applied in thedevice in FIG. 1, in accordance with the some embodiments of the presentdisclosure;

FIG. 4A is a schematic diagram of a device, in accordance with someother embodiments of the present disclosure;

FIG. 4B is a circuit diagram of a memory array in FIG. 4A, in accordancewith some other embodiments of the present disclosure;

FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram of a device, in accordance with someembodiments of the present disclosure; and

FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram of a device, in accordance with somealternative embodiments of the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The following disclosure provides many different embodiments, orexamples, for implementing different features of the provided subjectmatter. Specific examples of components and arrangements are describedbelow to simplify the present disclosure. These are, of course, merelyexamples and are not intended to be limiting. For example, the formationof a first feature over or on a second feature in the description thatfollows may include embodiments in which the first and second featuresare formed in direct contact, and may also include embodiments in whichadditional features may be formed between the first and second features,such that the first and second features may not be in direct contact. Inaddition, the present disclosure may repeat reference numerals and/orletters in the various examples. This repetition is for the purpose ofsimplicity and clarity and does not in itself dictate a relationshipbetween the various embodiments and/or configurations discussed.

The terms used in this specification generally have their ordinarymeanings in the art and in the specific context where each term is used.The use of examples in this specification, including examples of anyterms discussed herein, is illustrative only, and in no way limits thescope and meaning of the disclosure or of any exemplified term.Likewise, the present disclosure is not limited to various embodimentsgiven in this specification.

Although the terms “first,” “second,” etc., may be used herein todescribe various elements, these elements should not be limited by theseterms. These terms are used to distinguish one element from another. Forexample, a first element could be termed a second element, and,similarly, a second element could be termed a first element, withoutdeparting from the scope of the embodiments. As used herein, the term“and/or” includes any and all combinations of one or more of theassociated listed items.

Reference is now made to FIG. 1. FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of adevice 100, in accordance with some embodiments of the presentdisclosure. In some embodiments, the device 100 operates as a memorydevice having two or more memory banks, which include, for illustration,sub-banks 120 and 122 as shown in FIG. 1.

As illustratively shown in FIG. 1, the device 100 includes bit linesBL1, BLB1, BL2_1, and BL2_2, a memory array 110, and an input/output(I/O) circuit 160. For ease of understanding, a top view of a schematiclayout of the memory array 110 is illustrated in FIG. 1. In someembodiments, the memory array 110 includes the sub-banks 120 and 122,and each of the sub-banks 120 and 122 includes rows of memory cellsassociated with corresponding word lines. For illustration, the sub-bank120 includes a row of memory cells 120A associated with a correspondingword line WL0, and the sub-bank 122 includes a row of memory cells 120Bassociated with a corresponding word line WL1.

In some embodiments, the term “bit line” in the present disclosure isconfigured to be a data line in a memory array. Various configurationsof the “bit line” are within the contemplated scope of the presentdisclosure.

For simplicity, only one row of memory cells 120A and one correspondingword line WL0 in the sub-bank 120, and only one row of memory cells 120Band one corresponding word line WL1 in the sub-bank 122, are shown inFIG. 1 for illustrative purposes. Various numbers of word lines and rowsof memory cells in each one of the sub-banks 120 and 122 are within thecontemplated scoped of the present disclosure.

In some embodiments, the memory array 110 further includes a strap cell140. The strap cell 140 is arranged between the sub-banks 120 and 122 inthe memory array 110. In some embodiments, the strap cell 140 isarranged to separate the bit lines BL1 and BLB1 which are both arrangedacross the sub-banks 120 and 122.

In some embodiments, the bit lines BL1 and BLB1 correspond to a columnof memory cells (not shown) in the memory array 110, and operate withthe same column of memory cells. For illustration, the bit line BL1includes a portion BL1_1 and a portion BL1_2 which are separated by thestrap cell 140, and the bit line BLB1 includes a portion BLB1_1 and aportion BLB1_2 which are also separated by the strap cell 140. Theportion BL1_1 and the portion BLB1_1 correspond to a column of memorycells (not shown) in the sub-bank 120, and operate with the same columnof memory cells. Correspondingly, the portion BL1_2 and the portionBLB1_2 correspond to a column of memory cells (not shown) in thesub-bank 122, and operate with the same column of memory cells.

In some embodiments, a memory cell (e.g., memory cell 440 shown in FIG.4B) in the row of memory cells 120A is coupled to the portions BL1_1 andBLB1_1. The portions BL1_1 and BLB1_1 are utilized to couple the memorycell in the row of memory cells 120A to the I/O circuit 160.Accordingly, the memory cell in the row of memory cells 120A in thesub-bank 120 is able to be operated with the I/O circuit 160.

In some embodiments, a memory cell (e.g., memory cell 460 shown in FIG.4B) in the row of memory cells 120B is coupled to the portions BL1_2 andBLB1_2. The portions BL1_2 and BLB1_2 are utilized to couple the memorycell in the row of memory cells 120B to the I/O circuit 160 via the bitlines BL2_1 and BL2_2. Accordingly, the memory cell in the row of memorycells 120B in the sub-bank 122 is able to be operated with the I/Ocircuit 160.

In some embodiments, the term “memory cell” or “selected memory cell” inthe present disclosure is configured as the memory cell 440 or 460illustrated in FIG. 4B. Various configurations of the “memory cell” or“selected memory cell” are within the contemplated scope of the presentdisclosure.

In some embodiments, as illustrated in FIG. 1, the bit line BL2_1 isarranged above the strap cell 140, and the bit line BL2_2 is arrangedabove the strap cell 140. The bit line BL2_1 is coupled to the portionBL1_2 and the I/O circuit 160. The bit line BL2_2 is coupled to theportion BLB1_2 and the I/O circuit 160. Based on the arrangements of thebit lines BL2_1 and BL2_2, the memory cell in the row of memory cells120B is coupled through the portion BL1_2 and the bit line BL2_1 to theI/O circuit 160, and is also coupled through the portion BLB1_2 and thebit line BL2_2 to the I/O circuit 160. Accordingly, the memory cell inthe row of memory cells 120B in the sub-bank 122 is able to be operatedwith the I/O circuit 160. Effectively, the I/O circuit 160 is shared byboth of the sub-banks 120 and 122.

In some embodiments, the bit lines BL1, BLB1, BL2_1, and BL2_2 areimplemented with metal lines. For illustration, the bit lines BL1 andBLB1 are implemented with a first metal line formed in a metal one (M1)layer, and the bit lines BL2_1 and BL2_2 are implemented with a secondmetal line formed in a metal two (M2) layer. In some embodiments, the M2layer is formed above the M1 layer.

The implementations of the bit lines BL1, BLB1, BL2_1, and BL2_2, asdiscussed above, are given for illustrative purposes. Variousimplementations of the bit lines BL1, BLB1, BL2_1, and BL2_2 are withinthe contemplated scope of the present disclosure.

In some embodiments, the strap cell 140 is implemented by dummy circuitsof the memory cells in the sub-banks 120 and 122. In some otherembodiments, the strap cell 140 is implemented by circuits other thanthe circuits of the memory cells. In alternative embodiments, the strapcell 140 is implemented with doped regions and/or other semiconductorstructures.

The implementations of the strap cell 140 are given for illustrativepurposes. Various implementations of the strap cell 140 are within thecontemplated scope of the present disclosure.

In some embodiments, in a top-down sequence, the portion BL1_1 and theportion BLB1_1 are arranged in a layer separate from a layer in whichthe bit lines BL2_1 and BL2_2 are arranged. In some other embodiments,the portion BL1_2 and the portion BLB1_2 are arranged in a layerseparate from a layer in which the bit lines BL2_1 and BL2_2 arearranged. For illustration, as discussed above, the strap cell 140 isimplemented by dummy circuits of the memory cells in the sub-banks 120and 122. In such a configuration, the portion BL1_1 and the portionBLB1_1 are arranged in a layer separate from the structure and/or alayer of the dummy circuits, and the bit lines BL2_1 and BL2_2 arearranged in a layer separate from the structure and/or the layer of thedummy circuits. In some embodiments, the portion BL1_1 is disconnectedfrom the portion BL1_2, and the portion BLB1_1 is disconnected from theportion BLB1_2.

The arrangements of the strap cell 140 and the portions BL1_1, BL1_2,BLB1_1, and BLB1_2, discussed above, are given for illustrative purposesonly. Various arrangements of the strap cell 140 and the portions BL1_1,BL1_2, BLB1_1, and BLB1_2 are within the contemplated scope of thepresent disclosure.

In some approaches, for a memory array, edge cells are required andarranged in separate independent memory banks, and logic circuitsoutside the memory banks are required and arranged to connect the memorybanks with each other via the edge cells therein. As a result, thecircuit size and the cost of the memory array are increased.

Compared with such approaches, the memory array 110 of the device 100 inthe present disclosure includes the strap cell 140 for separating thesub-banks 120 and 122 in the memory array 110. Moreover, the bit linesBL1, BLB1, BL2_1, and BL2_2 are configured as discussed above, fordifferent sub-banks 120 and 122 in the memory array 110 to operate withthe same I/O circuit 160, without external logic circuits and edgecells. Without external logic circuits and edge cells used in relatedapproaches, the circuit size and the cost of the device 100 are reduced.

Moreover, with the arrangements of the strap cell 140, the bit lines BL1and BLB1 are arranged in separate segments, which include the portionsBL1_1, BL1_2, BLB1_1, and BLB1_2. Effectively, compared with the bitline BL1 having a full length, the length of the portions BL1_1, BL1_2,BLB1_1, and BLB1_2 are reduced. In some embodiments, when the length ofthe bit line decreases, the wire loading of the bit line decreases.Thus, with the reduced length of the portions BL1_1, BL1_2, BLB1_1, andBLB1_2, the delay time of transmitting data from the sub-bank 120 and/orthe sub-bank 122 to the I/O circuit 160 are reduced, and the delay timeof pre-charging of the bit lines BL1, BLB1, BL2, and BLB2 are reduced aswell. As a result, the efficiency of performing the read and/or writeoperation of the device 100 is improved.

In some embodiments, each of the row of memory cells 120A and the row ofmemory cells 120B has a width D1 along the longitudinal direction of thebit line BL1, and the strap cell 140 has a width D2 along thelongitudinal direction of the bit line BL1. For illustration, the widthD2 of the strap cell 140 is larger than the width D1. In someembodiments, the width D2 of the strap cell 140 is less than or equal totwo times of the width D1. In some further embodiments, the width D2 ofthe strap cell 140 is less than or equal to be about four times of apoly pitch. In some embodiments, the poly pitch is a predeterminedminimum distance between poly-silicon layers (not shown). In somefurther embodiments, the predetermined minimum distance is defined in atechnology file related with the device 100.

In some embodiments, the rows of memory cells 120A and 120B areimplemented by non-volatile memory cells. In some embodiments, thenon-volatile memory cells include static random-access memory (SRAM)cell. For example, in some embodiments, the non-volatile memory cellsinclude six transistors (6T) cells. In further embodiments, thenon-volatile memory cells include resistive random-access memory (RRAM)cell. In some other embodiments, the non-volatile memory devices includemagnetic tunnel junction (MTJ) cells. The implementations of the rows ofmemory cells 120A and 120B are given for illustrative purposes. Variousimplementations of the rows of memory cells 120A and 120B are withincontemplated scope of the present disclosure.

In some embodiments, the I/O circuit 160 includes a switching circuit162, a sense amplifier 164, and a data driver 166. The sense amplifier164 is coupled between the switching circuit 162 and the data driver166, as illustrated in FIG. 1.

For illustration, the switching circuit 162 is coupled to the portionBL1_1, the portion BLB1_1, and the bit lines BL2_1 and BL2_2. In someembodiments, the switching circuit 162 is configured to select onememory cell from the rows of memory cells in the sub-banks 120 and 122,in order to perform the read operation and/or the write operation. Infurther embodiments, during the read operation and/or the writeoperation, the switching circuit 162 is configured to charge the portionBL1_1 and the portion BLB1_1 that are associated with the correspondingselected memory cell, or to charge the bit lines BL2_1 and BL2_2 thatare associated with the corresponding selected memory cell.

In some embodiments, the sense amplifier 164 is configured to amplifydata transmitted from the selected memory cell according to an enablesignal EN. The sense amplifier 164 amplifies the voltage difference,indicating a data bit, between the portion BL1_1 and the portion BLB1_1that are associated with the corresponding selected memory cell, orbetween the bit lines BL2_1 and BL2_2 that are associated with thecorresponding selected memory cell. Accordingly, the amplified data areable to be read properly by the data driver 166.

In some embodiments, for the read operation, the data driver 166 isfurther configured to latch the amplified data transmitted from thesense amplifier 164. In some embodiments, for the write operation, thedata driver 166 is configured to transmit data to a correspondingselected memory cell via the portion BL1_1 and the portion BLB1_1, orvia the bit lines BL2_1 and BL2_2.

The configurations of the I/O circuit 160 are given for illustrativepurposes. Various configurations of the I/O circuit 160 are within thecontemplated scope of the present disclosure.

The following paragraphs describe embodiments related to the device 100to illustrate functions and applications thereof. However, the presentdisclosure is not limited to the following embodiments. Variousarrangements that are able to implement the functions and the operationsof the device 100 in FIG. 1 are within the contemplated scope of thepresent disclosure.

FIG. 2 is a flow chart of a method 200 illustrating operations of thedevice 100 in FIG. 1, in accordance with the some embodiments of thepresent disclosure. FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of waveforms ofsignals applied in the device 100 in FIG. 1, in accordance with the someembodiments of the present disclosure. For ease of understanding, theoperations of the method 200 are described with reference to FIG. 1 andFIG. 3.

In some embodiments, the method 200 includes operations S210-S270 aswill be discussed below. The operations S210, S220, S230, and S240correspond to the read operation. The operations S250, S260, and S280correspond to the write operation.

For the read operation, in operation S210, the word line WL1 isactivated, and the switching circuit 162 selects one memory cell (notshown) of the row of memory cells 120B, to perform the read operation.Given for illustrative purposes, and for simplicity, only the selectedmemory cell of the row of memory cells 120B in the sub-bank 122 isdiscussed below with reference to FIGS. 1-3. Various selected memorycells are within the contemplated scope of the present disclosure.

In operation S220, data stored in the selected memory cell in thesub-bank 122 is transmitted to the sense amplifier 164 via the portionBL1_2 and the bit line BL2_1, and via the portion BLB1_2 and the bitline BL2_2.

In operation S230, the sense amplifier 164 amplifies the received dataaccording to the enable signal EN. For illustration, the sense amplifier164 is enabled by the enable signal EN, and amplifies a received datasignal in response to the enable signal EN.

For illustration, as shown in FIG. 3, at time T1, the voltage level ofthe word line WL1 in FIG. 1 is increased, and the word line WL1 isasserted to have a pulse P1. In response to the pulse P1, the word lineWL1 is activated at time T1, to perform the read operation.Correspondingly, at time T1, one memory cell (not shown) of the row ofmemory cells 120B in the sub-bank 122 is selected by the switchingcircuit 162.

During a time interval between time T1 and time T2, the voltage levelsof the portion BL1_2 and the bit line BL2_1 are continuously decreased,and the voltage levels of the portion BLB1_2 and the bit line BL2_2 arekept at a predetermined voltage level PRE. In some embodiments, duringthe time interval between time T1 and time T2, data indicating a logicvalue of, for example, 0, is transmitted from the selected memory cellto the sense amplifier 164.

At time T2, the enable signal EN is asserted to have a pulse P2. Inresponse to the enable signal EN having the pulse P2, the senseamplifier 164 is enabled to amplify the received data, in order tocomplete the read operation, as discussed above. At that moment, thememory cells in the sub-bank 120 are not selected, and thus the voltagelevels of the portions BL1_1 and BLB1_1 are kept fixed.

For illustration of FIG. 3, during a time interval between time T2 andtime T3, the voltage levels of the portion BL1_2 and the bit line BL2_1are further decreased continuously, while the voltage levels of theportion BLB1_2 and the bit line BL2_2 are kept at the predeterminedvoltage level PRE, as illustrated in FIG. 3.

With continued reference to FIG. 2, in operation S240, the switchingcircuit 162 charges the portion BL1_2 of the bit line BL1 and the bitline BL2_1, which are associated with the selected memory cell, to thepredetermined voltage level PRE.

For illustration of FIG. 3, during a time interval between time T3 andtime T4, the portion BL1_2 of the bit line BL1 and the bit line BL2_1are charged by the switching circuit 162. Accordingly, the voltagelevels of the portion BL1_2 of the bit line BL1 and the bit line BL2_1are increased continuously.

At time T4, the voltage levels of the portion BL1_2 of the bit line BL1and the bit line BL2_1 are charged to the predetermined voltage levelPRE. When the portion BL1_2 and the bit line BL2_1 have thepredetermined voltage level PRE, the sub-bank 122 is able to perform thesubsequent operations accordingly.

With continued reference to FIG. 2, for the write operation, inoperation S250, the word line WL1 is activated, and the switchingcircuit 162 selects one memory cell of the row of memory cells 120B, toperform the write operation.

In operation S260, the data driver 166 transmits data to the selectedmemory cell in the sub-bank 122 via the portion BL1_2 and the bit lineBL2_1, and via the portion BLB1_2 and the bit line BL2_2.

In operation S270, after the data is written into the selected memorycell, the switching circuit 162 charges the portion BL1_2, the portionBLB1_2, and the bit lines BL2_1 and BL2_2, which are coupled to theselected memory cell, to the predetermined voltage level PRE.

For illustration of FIG. 3, at time T5, the voltage level of the wordline WL1 in FIG. 1 is asserted to have a pulse P3. In response to thepulse P3, the word line WL1 is activated to perform the write operation.Correspondingly, during a time interval between time T5 and time T6, onememory cell (not shown) in the sub-bank 122 is selected by the switchingcircuit 162. Data indicating the logic value of 0 is then transmittedfrom the data driver 166 in FIG. 1 to the selected memory cell in thesub-bank 122 via the bit line BL2_1 and the bit line BL2_2, and via theportion BL1_2 and the portion BLB1_2. Accordingly, at time T5, thevoltage levels of the portion BL1_2 and the bit line BL2_1, which arecoupled to the selected memory cell, are decreased. The voltage levelsof the portion BLB1_2 and the bit line BL2_1 are kept at thepredetermined voltage level PRE. As the memory cells in the sub-bank 120are not selected, the voltage level of the portions BL1_1 and BLB1_1 arekept fixed. After the data are written into the selected memory cell,during a time interval between time T7 and time T8, the voltage level ofthe portion BL1_2 and that of the bit line BL2_1, which are coupled tothe selected memory cell, are charged to the predetermined voltage PREby the switching circuit 162 in FIG. 1. Thus, the sub-bank 122 is readyto perform the subsequent operations.

The above description includes exemplary operations, but the operationsof the method 200 are not necessarily performed in the order described.The order of the operations disclosed in the method 200 are able to bechanged, or the operations are able to be executed simultaneously orpartially simultaneously as appropriate, in accordance with the spiritand scope of various embodiments of the present disclosure.

Reference is now made to FIG. 4A. FIG. 4A is a schematic diagram of adevice 400, in accordance with some other embodiments of the presentdisclosure.

Compared to the device 100 in FIG. 1, the device 400 in FIG. 4A includesa memory array 410, and further includes a power line PL1, a power linePL2, and a power control module 420. For ease of understanding, a topview of a schematic layout of the memory array 410 is illustrated inFIG. 4A. For illustration in FIG. 4A, the memory array 410 includes likeelements corresponding to those of the memory array 110 in FIG. 1. Withrespect to the embodiments of FIG. 1, like elements in FIG. 4A aredesignated with the same reference numbers for ease of understanding.

As illustratively shown in FIG. 4A, the power line PL1 includes aportion PL1_1 and a portion PL1_2 which are separated by the strap cell140. In other words, the portion PL1_1 of the power line PL1 isdisconnected from the portion PL1_2 of the power line PL1.

For illustration, the portion PL1_1 of the power line PL1 is coupledbetween one memory cell (not shown) in the row of memory cells 120A andthe power control module 420. The portion PL1_2 of the power line PL1 iscoupled to one memory cell (not shown) in the row of memory cells 120Band the power line PL2. The power line PL2 is coupled to the powercontrol module 420.

In some embodiments, the portion PL1_1 is arranged in a layer separatefrom a layer in which the power line PL2 is arranged. In some otherembodiments, the portion PL1_2 is arranged in a layer separate from alayer in which the power line PL2 is arranged. For example, as discussedabove, the straps 140 is able to be implemented by dummy circuits of thememory cells. In such a configuration, the portion PL1_1 and the portionPL1_2 are able to be arranged in the layer separate from the structureand/or the layer of the dummy circuits, and the power line PL2 is ableto be arranged in the layer separate from the structure and/or layers ofthe dummy circuits. In some embodiments, the portion PL1_1 isdisconnected from the portion PL1_2.

The arrangements of the strap cell 140 and the portions PL1_1 and PL1_2and the power line PL2 are given for illustrative purposes only. Variousarrangements of the strap cell 140 and the portions PL1_1 and PL1_2 andthe power line PL2 are within the contemplated scope of the presentdisclosure.

In some embodiments, the power line PL1 and the power line PL2 areimplemented with metal lines. For illustration, the power line PL1 isimplemented with a third metal line formed in a metal three (M3) layer.The power line PL2 is implemented with a fourth metal line formed in ametal four (M4) layer. In some embodiments, the M4 layer is formed abovethe M3 layer.

The implementations of the power line PL1 and the power line PL2 aregiven for illustrative purposes. Various implementations of the powerline PL1 and the power line PL2 are within the contemplated scope of thepresent disclosure.

In some embodiments, the power control module 420 includes a powerconverter with a digital controller. In some other embodiments, thepower control module 420 is implemented with a low-dropout (LDO)regulator. The implementations of the power control module 420 are givenfor illustrative purposes. Various implementations of the power controlmodule 420 are within the contemplated scope of the present disclosure.

In some embodiments, the power control module 420 is configured tosupply at least one system voltage (not shown) to the memory cells inthe sub-bank 120 and the memory cells in the sub-bank 122. In someembodiments, the least one system voltage is a bias voltage, a groundvoltage, a precharge voltage, etc. For illustration of FIG. 4A, thepower control module 420 transmits the least one system voltage to therow of memory cells 120A in the sub-bank 120 via the portion PL1_1 ofthe power line PL1. The power control module 420 transmits the least onesystem voltage to the row of memory cells 120B in the sub-bank 122 viathe power line PL2 and the portion PL1_2 of the power line PL1.

With such arrangements, the power of each of the sub-banks 120 and 122are able to be separately managed by the power control module 420. Forexample, when the memory cells in the sub-bank 120 enter to a dataretention mode or a standby mode, the power control module 420 is ableto stop supplying the least one system voltage to the sub-bank 120, orto lower the least one system voltage to the sub-bank 120. Thus, theleakage current in the unselected sub-bank 120 is able to be reduced. Asa result, the active power consumption of the device 400 is saved.

For ease of understanding, the device 400 in FIG. 4A only illustratestwo power lines. Various number of the power lines are within thecontemplated scope of the present disclosure. Furthermore, theembodiments illustrated above are described with two sub-banks 120 and122. Various numbers of the sub-banks are able to be applied in thedevice 100 in FIG. 1 and the device 400 in FIG. 4A.

Reference is now made to FIG. 4B. FIG. 4B is a circuit diagram of thememory array 410 in FIG. 4A, in accordance with some embodiments of thepresent disclosure. With respect to the embodiments of FIG. 4A, likeelements in FIG. 4B are designated with the same reference numbers forease of understanding.

As described above, in some embodiments, the rows of memory cells 120Aand 120B includes 6T cells. For illustration of FIG. 4B, the row ofmemory cells 120A includes a memory cell 440. The memory cell 440includes a switch T1, a switch T2, and inverters 442 and 444. Theinverters 442 and 444 are cross-coupled with each other, to operate as alatch.

For illustration, an input terminal of the inverter 442 is coupled to anoutput terminal of the inverter 444. An output terminal of the inverter442 is coupled to an input terminal of the inverter 444. The inverters442 and 444 are configured to be biased with a system voltage, which isprovided from the power control module 420 via the portion PL1_1 of thepower line PL1 in FIG. 4A. The switch T1 is coupled between the portionBL1_1 in FIG. 4A and the input terminal of the inverter 442. The switchT2 is coupled between the portion BLB1_1 in FIG. 4A and the inputterminal of the inverter 444. The switches T1-T2 are coupled to the wordline WL0 in FIG. 4A, and are turned on when the word line WL0 isactivated.

Mores, for illustration of FIG. 4B, the row of memory cells 120Bincludes a memory cell 460. The memory cell 460 includes a switch T3, aswitch T4, and inverters 462 and 464.

For illustration, an input terminal of the inverter 462 is coupled to anoutput terminal of the inverter 464. An output terminal of the inverter462 is coupled to an input terminal of the inverter 464. The inverters462 and 464 are configured to be biased by the system voltage, which isprovided from the power control module 420 in FIG. 4A via the portionPL1_2 of the power line PL1 and the power line PL2 in FIG. 4A. Theswitch T3 is coupled between the portion BL1_2 in FIG. 4A and the inputterminal of the inverter 462. The switch T4 is coupled between theportion BLB1_2 in FIG. 4A and the input terminal of the inverter 464.The switches T3-T4 are coupled to the word line WL1 in FIG. 4A, and areturned on when the word line WL1 is activated.

As described above, in some embodiments, the strap cell 140 isimplemented with dummy circuits of the sub-banks 120 and 122. Forillustration of FIG. 4B, the strap cell 140 includes dummy circuits 480and 482. The circuit configurations of the dummy circuits 480 and 482are the same as those of the memory cells 440 and 460. For illustration,each of the dummy circuit 480 and 482 is implemented with the 6T cell.The dummy circuits 480 and 482 are disconnected from the portions BL1_1,BL1_2, BLB1_1, BLB1_2, and the portions PL1_1 and PL1_2 of the powerline PL1.

For ease of understanding, the embodiments above are described with twosub-banks 120 and 122. In various embodiments, two or more sub-banks,which are able to be employed with the device 100 in FIG. 1 or thedevice 400 in FIG. 4A, are within the contemplated scope of the presentdisclosure.

Reference is now made to FIG. 5. FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram of adevice 500, in accordance with some embodiments of the presentdisclosure. With respect to the embodiments of FIG. 1, like elements inFIG. 5 are designated with the same reference numbers for ease ofunderstanding. For ease of understanding, a top view of a schematiclayout of a memory array 510 is illustrated in FIG. 5. For illustrationin FIG. 5, the memory array 510 includes like elements corresponding tothose of the memory array 110 in FIG. 1. With respect to the embodimentsof FIG. 1, like elements in FIG. 5 are designated with the samereference numbers for ease of understanding.

For illustration, compared with the device 100 in FIG. 1, the device 500further includes bit lines BL3_1 and BL3_2. The memory array 510 in FIG.5 further includes a sub-bank 524 and a strap cell 540. The sub-bank 524includes a row of memory cells 520C associated with a corresponding wordline WL2.

The strap cell 540 is arranged between the sub-bank 524 and the sub-bank122. In some embodiments, the strap cell 540 is arranged to furtherseparate the bit lines BL1 and BLB1 which are both arranged across thesub-banks 120, 122. In some embodiments, the implementations of thestrap cell 540 are similar with the implementations of the strap cell140 in FIG. 1, as discussed above.

In the embodiments illustrated in FIG. 5, the bit line BL1 includes theportion BL1_1, the portion BL1_2, and the portion BL1_3, in which theportion BL1_2 and the portion BL1_3 are separated by the strap cell 540.In the embodiments illustrated in FIG. 5, the bit line BLB1 includes theportion BLB1_1, the portion BLB1_2, and the portion BLB1_3, in which theportion BLB1_2 and the portion BLB1_3 are separated by the strap cell540. The portion BL1_3 and the portion BLB1_3 correspond to a column ofmemory cells (not shown) in the memory array 510, and operate with thesame column of memory cells.

In some embodiments, a memory cell (e.g., memory cell 440 shown in FIG.4B) in the row of memory cells 520C is coupled to the portions BL1_3 andBLB1_3. The portions BL1_3 and BLB1_3 are utilized to couple the memorycell in the row of memory cells 520C to the I/O circuit 160, via the bitlines BL3_1 and BLB3_3. Accordingly, the memory cell in the row ofmemory cells 520C in the sub-bank 524 is able to be operated with theI/O circuit 160. Based on the arrangements of the bit lines BL3_1 andBL3_2, the memory cell (not shown) in the row of memory cells 520C isable to operate with the I/O circuit 160. Accordingly, the I/O circuit160 is shared by the sub-banks 120, 122 and 524. With this analogy,various numbers of the sub-banks are able to be merged as a singlememory array.

In some embodiments, in a top-down sequence, the portion BL1_3 and theportion BLB1_3 are arranged in a layer separate from a layer in whichthe bit lines BL3_1 and BL3_2 are arranged. In some other embodiments,the portions BL1_2 and BLB1_2 are arranged in a layer separate from alayer in which the bit lines BL3_1 and BL3_2 are arranged. For example,similar to the strap cell 140 in FIG. 1, the strap cell 540 is also ableto be implemented by dummy circuits of the memory cells in someembodiments. In such a configuration, the portion BL1_3 and the portionBLB1_3 are able to be arranged in the layer separate from the structureand/or the layer of the dummy circuits, and the bit lines BL3_1 andBL3_2 are able to be arranged in the layer separate from the structureand/or the layer of the dummy circuits. Based on the arrangementsillustrated in FIG. 5, the portion BL1_1, the portion BL1_2, and theportion BL1_3 are disconnected from each other via the strap cells 140and 540. The portions BLB1_1, the BLB1_2, and the BLB1_3 aredisconnected from each other via the strap cells 140 and 540.

In some embodiments, the bit lines BL1, the bit lines BL2_1 and BL2_2,and the bit lines BL3_1 and BL3_2 are implemented with different metallines. For illustration, the bit lines BL3_1 and BL3_2 are implementedwith a metal line formed in the M3 layer as discussed above. In someembodiments, the M3 layer is arranged above both of the strap cell 140and the strap cell 540. The implementations of the bit lines BL3_1 andBL3_2 are given for illustrative purposes. Various implementations ofthe bit lines BL3_1 and BL3_2 are within the contemplated scope of thepresent disclosure.

Reference is now made to FIG. 6. FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram of adevice 600, in accordance with some alternative embodiments of thepresent disclosure. For ease of understanding, a top view of a schematiclayout of a memory array 610 is illustrated in FIG. 6. For illustrationin FIG. 6, the memory array 610 includes like elements corresponding tothose of the memory array 110 in FIG. 1. With respect to the embodimentsof FIG. 1, like elements in FIG. 6 are designated with the samereference numbers for ease of understanding.

Compared with the device 100 in FIG. 1, the device 600 in FIG. 6 furtherincludes a memory array 610, bit lines BL3_1 and BL3_2, and an I/Ocircuit 660. The memory array 610 further includes sub-banks 620 and622. The sub-bank 620 includes a row of memory cells 620C associatedwith a corresponding word line WL2. The sub-bank 622 includes a row ofmemory cells 620D associated with a corresponding word line WL3.

In some embodiments, the memory array 610 further includes a strap cell640 and a strap cell 642. For illustration, the strap cell 640 isarranged to separate the bit lines BL1 and BLB1 which are both arrangedacross the sub-bank 620 and the sub-bank 122. The strap cell 642 isarranged to separate the bit lines BL1 and BLB1 which are both arrangedacross the sub-bank 620 and the sub-bank 622. In some embodiments, theimplementations of the strap cell 640 and 642 are similar with theimplementations of the strap cell 140 in FIG. 1, as discussed above.

In the embodiments illustrated in FIG. 6, the bit lines BL1 and BLB1correspond to a column of memory cells (not shown) in the memory array610, and operate with the same column of memory cells. For illustration,the bit line BL1 includes portions BL1_1, BL1_2, BL1_3, and BL1_4. Theportion BL1_2 and the portion BL1_3 are separated by the strap cell 640.The portion BL1_3 and BL1_4 are separated by the strap cell 642. The bitline BLB1 includes the portions BLB1_1, BLB1_2, BLB1_3, and BLB1_4. Theportion BLB1_2 and the portion BLB1_3 are separated by the strap cell640. The portion BLB1_3 and BLB1_4 are separated by the strap cell 642.The portion BL1_3 and the portion BLB1_3 correspond to a column ofmemory cells (not shown) in the sub-bank 620, and operate with the samecolumn of memory cells. Correspondingly, the portion BL1_4 and theportion BLB1_4 correspond to a column of memory cells (not shown) in thesub-bank 622, and operate with the same column of memory cells. In someembodiments, in a top-down sequence, the portions BL1_3 and BLB1_3 arearranged in a layer separate from a layer in which the bit lines BL3_1and BL3_2 are arranged. In some other embodiments, the portions BL1_4and BLB1_4 are arranged in a layer separate from a layer in which thebit lines BL3_1 and BL3_2 are arranged. For illustration, similar to thestrap cell 140 in FIG. 1, the strap cell 640 is implemented by dummycircuits of the memory cells. The portions BL1_3, BLB1_3, BL1_4, andBLB1_4 are able to be arranged in the layer separate from the structureand/or layer of the dummy circuits, and the bit lines BL3_1 and BL3_2are arranged in the layer separate from the structure and/or the layerof the dummy circuits. Based on the arrangements illustrated in FIG. 6,the portions BL1_1-BL1_4 are disconnected from each other via the strapcells 140, 640, and 642. The portions BLB1_1-BLB1_4 are disconnectedfrom each other via the strap cells 140, 640, and 642.

The arrangements of the portions BL1_3, BLB1_3, BL1_4, BLB1_4, and thebit lines BL3_1 and BL3_2, discussed above, are given for illustrativepurposes only. Various arrangements of the portions discussed above arewithin the contemplated scope of the present disclosure.

In some embodiments, a memory cell (e.g., memory cell 440 shown in FIG.4B) in the row of memory cells 620C is coupled to the portions BL1_3 andBLB1_3. The portions BL1_3 and BLB1_3 are utilized to couple the memorycell in the row of memory cells 620C to the I/O circuit 660, via the bitline BL3_1 and BLB3_2. Accordingly, the memory cell in the row of memorycells 620C in the sub-bank 620 is able to be operated with the I/Ocircuit 660.

In some embodiments, a memory cell (e.g., memory cell 440 shown in FIG.4B) in the row of memory cells 620D is coupled to the portions BL1_4 andBLB1_4. The portions BL1_4 and BLB1_4 are utilized to couple the memorycell in the row of memory cells 620D to the I/O circuit 660.Accordingly, the memory cell in the row of memory cells 620D in thesub-bank 640 is able to be operated with the I/O circuit 660.

The functions and implementations of the I/O circuit 660 are similar tothe I/O circuit 160 illustrated in FIG. 1. Thus, the detaileddescriptions are not given here.

As described above, in some embodiments, the bit line BL1, BLB1, BL2_1,BL2_2, BL3_1, and BL3_2 are implemented with different metal lines. Forillustration, the bit lines BL1 and BLB1 are implemented with the firstmetal lines formed in the M1 layer as discussed above. The bit linesBL2_1, BL2_2, BL3_1, and BL3_2 are implemented with the second metallines that are formed in the M2 layer as discussed above. In someembodiments, the M2 layer is formed above the M1 layer.

In some further embodiments, similar to the embodiments illustrated inFIG. 4A above, the strap cell 640 is further configured to separate apower line (not shown) into multiple portions. The arrangements of thepower line are similar with the embodiments illustrated in FIG. 4A.Thus, the repetitious descriptions are not given here. With sucharrangements, the power of each of the sub-banks 120, 122, 640, and 642are able to be separately managed by the power control module 420 inFIG. 4A. As described above, with such power management, the activepower consumption of the device 600 is able to be saved.

As described above, the devices provided in the present disclosure areable to reduce the wire loading of the bit lines. Accordingly, thetiming impacts, including, for example, additional time delays, are ableto be reduced. As a result, the performance of the memory arrayemploying such arrangements is improved.

In this document, the term “coupled” may also be termed as “electricallycoupled,” and the term “connected” may be termed as “electricallyconnected”. “Coupled” and “connected” may also be used to indicate thattwo or more elements cooperate or interact with each other.

In some embodiments, a device that includes a memory array is disclosed.The memory array includes a first sub-bank, a second sub-bank, a strapcell and a continuous data line. The strap cell is arranged between thefirst sub-bank and the second sub-bank. The continuous data lineincludes a first portion coupled to the first sub-bank and a secondportion disposed across the second sub-bank. The first portion of thecontinuous data line and the second portion of the continuous data lineare disposed at separate layers above the strap cell.

Also disclosed is a device that includes a first memory cell of a firstsub-bank in a memory array, a second memory cell of a second sub-bank inthe memory array, and a first power line. The first power line includesa first portion coupled to the first memory cell and a second portioncoupled to the second memory cell. The first portion of the first powerline and the second portion of the first power line are configured toseparately transmit at least one system voltage to the first memory celland the second memory cell.

Also disclosed is a method including operations below. A strap cell isarranged between a first sub-bank of a memory array and a secondsub-bank of the memory array. A first portion of a power line, which iscoupled to the first sub-bank, and a second portion of the power line,which is coupled to the second sub-bank, are implemented in separateconductive layers located above the strap cell. A first portion of afirst data line is implemented on the first sub-bank, and a secondportion of the first data line is implemented on the second sub-bank, inwhich the first portion of the first data line and the second portion ofthe first data line are configured to transmit a first data stored inthe first sub-bank and a second data stored in the second sub-bank,respectively, to an input/output (I/O) circuit.

The foregoing outlines features of several embodiments so that thoseskilled in the art may better understand the aspects of the presentdisclosure. Those skilled in the art should appreciate that they mayreadily use the present disclosure as a basis for designing or modifyingother processes and structures for carrying out the same purposes and/orachieving the same advantages of the embodiments introduced herein.Those skilled in the art should also realize that such equivalentconstructions do not depart from the spirit and scope of the presentdisclosure, and that they may make various changes, substitutions, andalterations herein without departing from the spirit and scope of thepresent disclosure.

What is claimed is:
 1. A device, comprising: a memory array including: afirst sub-bank; a second sub-bank; a strap cell arranged between thefirst sub-bank and the second sub-bank; and a continuous data linecomprising a first portion coupled to the first sub-bank and a secondportion disposed across the second sub-bank, wherein the first portionof the continuous data line and the second portion of the continuousdata line are disposed at separate layers above the strap cell.
 2. Thedevice of claim 1, wherein the memory array further includes a data linecoupled to the second sub-bank, wherein the data line is disconnectedfrom the continuous data line.
 3. The device of claim 2, wherein thecontinuous data line and the data line are coupled to a firstinput/output (I/O) circuit.
 4. The device of claim 1, furthercomprising: a first continuous power line comprising a first portion anda second portion, wherein the first portion of the first continuouspower line is coupled to the first sub-bank, and the second portion ofthe first continuous power line is disposed across the second sub-bank.5. The device of claim 4, wherein the first portion of the firstcontinuous power line and the second portion of the first continuouspower line are disposed at separate layers above the strap cell.
 6. Thedevice of claim 4, further comprising: a second power line coupled tothe second sub-bank.
 7. The device of claim 6, further comprising: apower control module configured to supply at least one system voltage tothe first sub-bank and the second sub-bank through the first continuouspower line and the second power line, respectively.
 8. The device ofclaim 1, wherein a width of the strap cell is less than or equal toabout four times of a poly pitch.
 9. The device of claim 1, wherein thefirst sub-bank comprises a first row of memory cells, the secondsub-bank comprises a second row of memory cells, wherein the first rowof memory cells and the second row of memory cells have a first width,and a width of the strap cell is less than or equal to about two timesof the first width.
 10. A device, comprising: a first memory cell of afirst sub-bank in a memory array; a second memory cell of a secondsub-bank in the memory array; and a first power line comprising a firstportion coupled to the first memory cell and a second portion coupled tothe second memory cell, wherein the first portion of the first powerline and the second portion of the first power line are configured toseparately transmit at least one system voltage to the first memory celland the second memory cell.
 11. The device of claim 10, furthercomprising: a strap cell disposed between the first sub-bank and thesecond sub-bank, wherein the first portion of the first power line andthe second portion of the first power line are separated by the strapcell.
 12. The device of claim 11, wherein a width of the strap cell isless than or equal to about four times of a poly pitch.
 13. The deviceof claim 11, wherein the first memory cell and the second memory cellhave a first width, and a width of the strap cell is less than or equalto about two times of the first width.
 14. The device of claim 10,further comprising: a first data line comprising a first portion coupledto the first memory cell and a second portion coupled to the secondmemory cell; and a second data line electrically coupled to the secondportion of the first data line and arranged cross the first sub-bank,wherein the first data line and the second data line are disposed atseparate layers.
 15. The device of claim 10, further comprising: asecond power line coupled to the second portion of the first power lineand disposed cross the first sub-bank, wherein the second power line isconfigured to transmit the at least one system voltage generated from apower control module to the second memory cell.
 16. A method,comprising: arranging a strap cell between a first sub-bank of a memoryarray and a second sub-bank of the memory array; implementing a firstportion of a power line, which is coupled to the first sub-bank, and asecond portion of the power line, which is coupled to the secondsub-bank, in separate conductive layers located above the strap cell;and implementing a first portion of a first data line on the firstsub-bank and a second portion of the first data line on the secondsub-bank, wherein the first portion of the first data line and thesecond portion of the first data line are configured to transmit a firstdata stored in the first sub-bank and a second data stored in the secondsub-bank, respectively, to an input/output (I/O) circuit.
 17. The methodof claim 16, wherein implementing the first portion of the first dataline on the first sub-bank and the second portion of the first data lineon the second sub-bank comprises: coupling the second portion of thefirst data line to the I/O circuit by a second data line coupled,wherein the second data line is disposed cross the first sub-bank, andthe first data line and the second data line are disposed at separatelayer above the strap cell.
 18. The method of claim 16, furthercomprising: supplying, by a power control module, at least one systemvoltage to the first sub-bank and the second sub-bank.
 19. The method ofclaim 18, further comprising: reducing a level of the at least onesystem voltage supplying to the first sub-bank on condition that memorycells in the first sub-bank enter a data retention mode or a standbymode.
 20. The method of claim 18, further comprising: stopping supplyinga level of the at least one system voltage to the first sub-bank oncondition that memory cells in the first sub-bank enter a data retentionmode or a standby mode.